Buying gifts can be tricky at the best of times, but choosing something for someone who loves hiking, backpacking, or camping can feel especially intimidating if you’re not into the outdoors yourself. There’s so much gear out there – where do you even start?
Here’s a simple, practical guide to gifts that hikers genuinely appreciate (and a few things you might want to avoid).
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
In this guide:
What Not to Buy (Usually)
Before getting into the fun stuff, it’s worth mentioning the gear that’s best avoided unless someone has asked for a very specific model.
Big-ticket items – like tents, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, and large backpacks are highly personal and can be surprisingly technical. Most hikers spend ages researching these, comparing weights, fabrics, temperature ratings, and fit. If you know the person well and you’re willing to do your homework, go for it – just be prepared that they may prefer to exchange it for a different model.
Match the Gift to Their Type of Hiking
It also helps to think about how they enjoy the outdoors.
Do they love chasing summits but never camp? Then an ultralight frying pan may not get much use.
Are they backpackers who count every gram in their pack? A heavy thermos, even a nice one, will probably stay at home.
Once you have a sense of their style, choosing a gift becomes much easier.
Affordable Yet Thoughtful Hiking Gifts
No need to break the bank, there are plenty of affordable options that still fit the bill when it comes to being hiking related. Here are just some suggestions!
Dehydrated or freeze-dried meals
These are going to be primarily useful for those that head out on overnight trips, though they can be a hearty lunch option as well! They will be well-appreciated too, as these kind of meals are super convenient and can get expensive if you are eating them often. There are so many brands available, and they are different for every region. These are some options I have particularly enjoyed (as a vegetarian):
In the USA:
GOOD TO-GO: Not the highest calorie options but nice flavours. I liked the Pasta Marinara & Mushroom Risotto. They also have stove-free options which I haven’t tried but sound interesting.
Peak Refuel: They don’t have many vegetarian options, but I have to mention them – the Butternut Dal Baht was the best dehydrated meal I had on the entire PCT, so I reckon their meat flavours would be pretty nice too.
In UK & Europe:
Expedition Foods: A nice range of flavours and quite a few vegetarian options – I prefer flavourful options, so their Vegetable Tikka was a winner for me. I also like that they offer different calorie sizes.
Firepot: Lots of vegan options and unique flavours – I recently enjoyed their Tuscan Stew. They also do multiple calorie sizes as well.
Waterproofing or gear-care kits.
Everyone needs to wash and reproof their gear to keep it in optimal condition, so a kit to help you do this makes an ideal budget gift that will never go to waste! There are multiple brands that make these kind of products. I tend to use Nikwax for washing and waterproofing of both shoes and gear. They have bundles of their products too, which is nice – for example their Waterproofing Duo. If you want to get something a bit more extensive, you could go for their Complete Protection Kit, which includes shoe care and a waterproof bag.
A waterproof notebook/journal
Lots of people love journaling on the trail – I do as well, despite not being particularly consistent with it. However, a notebook is just another thing to keep dry. Also – imagine journaling an entire trail just to find it ruined after a day of heavy rain? I know on the PCT people’s journals were their favourite souvenir of their entire hike. I stumbled across Rite in the Rain notebooks when preparing for my hike – there are some really compact options which are nice. Many people wouldn’t think to splurge on a waterproof notebook for themselves, but they certainly would be happy to have one.
A Hiking Wallet
This sounds kind of basic and, well, it is – so it may be something your hiker already has. I honestly never thought to buy this until recently – I always just used a ziploc bag. But if you have cash on your trip like I did for the PCT, whipping out a see-through plastic bag is a bit uncomfortable. I bought one on trail and I love it, I haven’t gone back to my normal wallet since getting home. I’m not sure if that’s more of a testament to my laziness or the amazingness of the wallet, but anyway – here is the LiteAF Wallet (US link here) I bought on the PCT.
Books & Maps
Another option which can be pretty budget friendly. If there’s one thing I love as a hiker, it’s reading about hiking. I love it so much that I made an entire post about it – Hiking Books I Can’t Shut Up About
Pricey but Practical
These are genuinely useful, but I know I and a lot of other hikers cringe at the thought of spending this much money on ‘basic’ items. However there’s a reason they are pricey – very lightweight, or high quality material, which makes it worth it in the long run.
High-quality, lightweight gear pouches or stuff sacks
I don’t own these, for the same reason the person you are buying for might not either. They’re expensive – is it really worth the cost to replace what I have? As a gift though – I would be delighted to receive these. I don’t have a recommendation from experience, but these are the types of bags I’m talking about:
- Hyperlite Mountain Gear Organisational Pods: US Link / EU Link / UK Link or the stuff sack equivalent
- Zpacks Packing Cubes US Link / EU Link
- Gossamer Gear Storage Sacks – a bit smaller and more affordable. US Link / EU Link / UK Link
Merino gloves, hats, or base layers
You need to know your hiker’s size for this one, but if you do they will no doubt be happy with with a merino gift. Anything made of merino is great for keeping warmth in and smells out. I use Icebreaker and have had no issues, my base layers have so far survived multiple hikes as well as my PCT Thru-Hike, and I wear them every night to sleep.
- I use the Icebreaker 200 Oasis Thermal Top and the 200 Oasis Thermal Leggings
- They also do gloves, hats and headbands, as well as various underwear options
Ultralight umbrella & hands-free kit
If your hiker is out often in hot temperatures then this is a great option to keep them cool and protected from the sun. I have also used mine during heavy rain and it worked great – it’s much nicer than being pelted in the face, and also makes it a bit easier to take a snack break without getting drenched. The hands-free kit makes it much more convenient, meaning it can attach to the strap of your backpack.
During my hikes of the GR54 and the PCT I used the Gossamer Gear Ultralight Umbrella and their hands-free clamp – I remember thinking multiple times ‘I have no idea how I would manage this without my umbrella‘.
A Digital Subscription
A subscription to a hiking/backpacking magazine is something that will appeal to a wide variety of hikers. They provide not only inspiration, but great practical tips and news as well. A few examples include Trails Magazine, or the UK Trail Magazine. The Great Outdoors Magazine is another great option for all things hiking, camping and gear.
Easy, Foolproof Options
These require zero guesswork but are still thoughtful:
A gift card to a good outdoor shop. This is location dependent – if you have local independent gear shops I’d go for those – otherwise REI, Decathlon, Cotswold Outdoor etc are good options
A donation to a trail or conservation group in their name. Some examples from Scotland would be Outdoor Access Trust Scotland, Scottish Mountain Rescue Team, Mountain Bothy Association etc. Have a look at local equivalents
Good hiking socks – not the most unique gift, but socks are what we tend to wear through the most. Focus on quality, like Darn Tough, Injinji, Smartwool, etc.
Wildcard Options
Looking for something a bit different? These may not be for everyone, so proceed with caution!
A Mini Watercolour Set
For those creative hikers among us – what’s a better way to enjoy a view than to paint it?
I saw several people with mini watercolour sets on the Pacific Crest Trail and it was a really nice idea. It was also the perfect memento for them of their trip, as by the end they had a book full of memories. Here’s an example of what I mean.
A Dehydrator
I mentioned above that backpacking meals can get pretty expensive, especially if you camp a lot or do a lot of long distance trails. A dehydrator gives you the ability to prepare your own backpacking meals. Admittedly, not everyone is going to be interested in this option – prepping food like this can be time-consuming. But it allows you to have variety and to be able to have your favourite home cooked meal on trail. If your hiker is a keen chef and you have a decent budget – it’s an option worth looking into!
A Game
A lightweight and compact game can be a nice way to introduce some fun to trail breaks. Ultralighters may not appreciate this one, but for those that can spare the space it’s a cute idea. Ingeneius has some great tiny options which are contained in small tins. A compact card game, such as Love Letter is also an option which you can play in bigger groups.
Final Thoughts
Gifts for hikers don’t need to be complicated or expensive. Most outdoorsy people prefer practical items they’ll genuinely use on the trail, not flashy gear that adds weight to their pack. As long as you choose something that fits their style of adventure, your gift will hit the mark.
What’s on your wishlist as a hiker? Let me know in a comment below!
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